The National
Independence Festival
of Creative Arts

The late Arden Clarke and his wife Jeanette Layne – Clarke, both fierce nationalists, creative writers and arts activists first conceptualised a national arts festival in the 70s, during the early dawn of Barbados’ nation-building period.

The island had just achieved Independence from Great Britain in 1966. It was an exciting and critical time for those involved in the arts and culture where there was great interest in mobilising the local creative community to explore national cultural identity. Later conversations and subsequent committees with devoted cultural workers and fellow creatives such as Jean Holder, Cynthia Wilson, Elombe Mottley, Nigel Harper, Virginia Seely, Arthur Atkinson, Janice Millington- and later others- stewarded by the father of Independence, the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, saw the emergence of the very first National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) in November 1973. read more

FESTIVAL GUIDE

NIFCA ICONS

HALL OF FAME

REGISTRATION


NIFCA Events


17 Oct 2025

today D H M S schedule6:00 pmmy_locationCombermere School

NIFCA Performing Arts Semi-Finals

More info

31 Oct 2025

today D H M S schedule7:00 pmmy_locationFrank Collymore Hall

NIFCA Dance Finals

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01 Nov 2025

today D H M S schedule10:00 ammy_locationQueen’s Park Steel Shed & Grounds

NIFCA Culinary Arts Exhibition & Food Fair

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01 Nov 2025

today D H M S schedule7:00 pmmy_locationFrank Collymore Hall

NIFCA Music Finals

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NIFCA Galleries

 



Contact us

The National Cultural Foundation
West Terrace,
St. James, Barbados
246-417-6610